Friday, 14 June 2024: Eskom announced that load shedding remains suspended for 79 consecutive days, thanks to ongoing improvements in the reliability and stability of its generation coal fleet. This is the longest period without load shedding since the stretch between 23 July 2021 and 6 October 2021.
Key Performance Highlights
Reduction in Unplanned Outages
Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF): The UCLF decreased to 27.69% from April 1 to June 13, 2024, down from 35.5% in the same period last year. This represents a 7.81% improvement compared to the previous year.
Improved Energy Availability Factor (EAF): The year-to-date EAF increased to 61.29%, a significant 7.59% improvement from the same period last year. The weekly EAF has risen from 57.0% at the beginning of the financial year to 65.0%.
The EAF improvement is mainly due to a drop in unplanned outages, with generation units averaging 11,700MW during the past seven days.
Strategic Use of Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs)
Lower Usage: OCGT usage continues to be significantly lower compared to the past two years. From April 1 to June 13, 2024, Eskom spent R2.29 billion on OCGTs, producing 328.43GWh. This is about 74% less than the R7.84 billion spent during the same period last year.
Load Factor: The OCGT load factor for April 1 to June 13, 2024, was 5.42%, compared to last year’s 21.12%. From June 1 to June 13, 2024, the load factor was 9.71%, slightly higher than last year’s 8.78%.
Eskom plans to return a total of 2,290MW of generating capacity to service by Monday, June 17, 2024. Tonight’s evening peak demand is expected to be 30,312MW.
Preventing Network Overloading and Risk to Life
With the onset of winter, demand for electricity rises, leading to network overloading, especially due to electricity theft. This includes illegal connections, network equipment theft, vandalism, meter bypasses, tampering, unauthorized network operations, and purchasing electricity from illegal vendors.
Eskom warns that overloaded transformers due to electricity theft pose a serious risk to human life and can result in prolonged power outages. To prevent this, Eskom urges customers to reduce their consumption while load shedding is suspended. Additionally, customers should ensure their electricity is legally connected and purchased from authorized vendors. Any illegal activities should be reported to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722.
Managing Peak Demand
Eskom will strategically utilize its peaking stations, including OCGTs, to meet high electricity demand during the morning and evening peaks as outlined in its winter outlook. Eskom’s diesel usage remains below the forecast and budget for the current financial year.
Winter Outlook
The winter forecast, published on April 26, 2024, anticipated unplanned outages of up to 15,500MW with load shedding limited to Stage 2. Eskom’s current performance surpasses these expectations, with unplanned outages averaging 12,000MW.
Eskom will provide an update next Friday, June 21, 2024, or promptly communicate any significant changes as they occur.
